Egyptian protesters reoccupy Tahir Square as repression continues

Egyptian protesters reoccupy Tahir Square as repression continues

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have re-occupied Tahrir Square in Cairo following violent attempts by the authorities to remove them.

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have re-occupied Tahrir Square in Cairo following violent attempts by the authorities to remove them.

The move follows growing local and international concern about repression and manipulation under the aegis of the country's interim military council.

The demonstrators returned to the site of protest that helped remove dictator Hosni Mubarak less than an hour after the assault by troops and police.

Protesters had fled earlier as the Egyptian security forces used tear gas on them and beat people with rods and truncheons.

Reports from the BBC and other agencies say that there have been similar clashes in other cities, including Alexandria, Suez and Aswan. Some thirteen people have died over the weekend and many more have been injured.

Protesters and human rights groups believe that Egypt's supposedly temporary military rulers are trying to maintain their hold on power ahead of forthcoming elections next week.

Health officials say that up to 900 have been injured in recent clashes, the vast majority of them civilians.